Lowest In-State Tuition for a Bachelor’s
$19,058 in annual undergraduate tuition and required fees for state residents (2024–25), the lowest among the 5 bachelor’s programs shown here.
Vermont · Political Science Rankings · 2027 
Best Political Science Programs in Vermont for 2027
Five schools offer ranked political science bachelor’s programs in Vermont. The University of Vermont ranks first and awarded 85 of the 135 degrees in 2023–24. Four of the five are private nonprofits, spread from Colchester to Bennington.
By Taylor Rupe, Editor
Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Vermont
5 schools in Vermont awarded political science bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24, scored against 991 bachelor’s programs nationwide.
- 1
University of Vermont
Political Science B.A.
70.9 Comparison ScoreThe Vermont major begins with four 1000-level courses: introductions to political theory, the US political system, international relations and comparative world politics. You then take courses in three of four subfields and a seminar. A separate skills requirement lets you choose one route from statistics and methodology, political economy, a language, philosophy or geography. Certain internship experiences can replace the political science elective with the chair’s approval. The degree takes 30 credits in the major plus 3 to 6 in ancillary courses, and UVM awarded 85 degrees in it in 2023–24.
- Core Courses
- Intro to Political Theory, US Political System, Intro International Relations and Comparative World Politics
- Subfields
- Three of political theory, US politics, international relations and comparative politics, plus a seminar
- Skills Requirement
- One option from statistics and methodology, political economy, language, philosophy or geography
Program Sources: Political Science B.A. | University of Vermont Catalogue
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 85 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 79% 2,508 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $63,279 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $19,058 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $45,502 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 2
Middlebury College
Political Science
69.8 Comparison ScoreMiddlebury requires ten political science courses. One must be introductory political theory, two more introduce other subfields, and the department expects you to finish those three before the end of sophomore year. A field distribution rule asks for two courses in any three of theory, American politics, comparative politics and international relations, plus one in the fourth. Every major ends in a 0400-level seminar. Honors candidates write a thesis across three terms and defend it in an oral examination. The department awarded 31 degrees in 2023–24.
- Course Count
- Ten political science courses, with at least seven taken at Middlebury
- Senior Program
- A 0400-level seminar
- Honors Path
- Thesis proposal, three terms of thesis work and an oral examination
Program Sources: Requirements | Middlebury CollegeRequirements | Middlebury College
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 31 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 91% 628 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $77,444 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $67,600 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $67,600 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 3
Norwich University
Political Science (B.A.)
41.9 Comparison ScoreNorwich sorts its requirements by subfield. You take at least one international relations course, one comparative politics course and PO321 in American politics, then two upper-level political science electives, each with a grade of C or higher. The core pairs political science introductions with two history courses, HI121 and HI122. Students in the Accelerated Master’s Pathway can count GD 510 or GD 511 toward the international relations requirement, and an optional concentration can be added to the major. Norwich awarded 11 degrees in this program in 2023–24.
- Subfield Requirements
- International relations, comparative politics and American politics
- Upper-Level Electives
- Two courses from approved lists or political science 300 to 499
- Graduate Pathway
- Accelerated Master’s Pathway courses can count toward international relations
Program Sources: 9PO Program | Norwich University Catalog
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 11 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 60% 676 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $71,791 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $49,740 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $49,740 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 4
Saint Michael's College
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
38.6 Comparison ScoreSaint Michael’s builds the major from six required courses and five political science electives, at least two of them at the 300 level. A practicum requirement follows, which you meet with an academic internship or another applied experience approved by the department chair, or by completing a second major. The catalog describes faculty mentoring students through academic internships, study abroad, collaborative research, student activism and campus leadership. Five students completed the degree in 2023–24.
- Course Structure
- Six required courses and five electives, two at the 300 level
- Practicum
- Internship, applied experience or a second major
Program Sources: BA.PO Program | Saint Michael's College Catalog
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 5 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 73% 448 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $56,954 Political Science bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $51,450 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $51,450 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 5
Bennington College
Political Science Major
33.8 Comparison ScoreBennington students work with faculty to design the content, structure and sequence of their own study, which the college calls the Plan. The work combines coursework and fieldwork on political institutions, processes, behavior and outcomes at national and international levels. Questions the department raises include what drives democracy, how inter-group and international conflicts are managed, and what institutional design and civil society contribute to political development. You learn to connect your work to real developments in the world and to communicate it in writing and aloud. Three students completed the degree in 2023–24.
- Plan
- A self-designed course of study built with faculty
- Learning Modes
- Coursework and fieldwork
Program Sources: Political Science Major | Bennington College
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 3 Political Science, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 71% 198 first-time, full-time students
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $66,262 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $66,262 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
Political Science Programs in Vermont at a Glance
- Ranked Schools
- 5 1 public, 4 private
- Bachelor’s Programs
- 5 135 degrees in 2023–24
- Lowest In-State Tuition
- $19,058 Bachelor’s list, schoolwide, 2024–25
How We Rank Political Science Programs in Vermont
Each program gets the same comparison score it earns in our national political science model, calculated against the nationwide group that meets the numeric and directory criteria. We then order Vermont’s eligible programs by that score within each degree level. This page features up to 10 programs, taking the next highest-ranked program from each degree-level list in turn. Scores are compared only within the same degree level. Bachelor’s lists weigh graduation rate (20%), published tuition (20%), graduate earnings (20%), program reputation (25%), and degrees awarded (15%). How these scores work.
Best Political Science Schools in Vermont by Goal
These picks compare only the programs featured in the lists above.
Most Political Science Bachelor’s Graduates
85 political science bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2023–24, the most of any school on this list.
Highest Schoolwide Graduation Rate
91% of first-time, full-time students at the school finished a bachelor’s within six years. This is a schoolwide rate, not a political science-only rate.
Top-Scoring Private College
The highest-scoring private school on the bachelor’s list (No. 2 overall), with a comparison score of 69.8.
What Separates Vermont’s Five Political Science Programs
The University of Vermont is the clear volume leader, with 85 degrees. Middlebury College follows with 31. Norwich University awarded 11, Saint Michael’s College 5, and Bennington College 3. A large program means more classmates in the major. A small one can mean a tighter group. Both counts are shown on each card.
Price splits along public and private lines. UVM charges $19,058 in state. The four private schools range from $49,740 at Norwich to $67,600 at Middlebury. Schoolwide graduation rates run from 91 percent at Middlebury down to 60 percent at Norwich, with Saint Michael’s at 73 and Bennington at 71.
Political Science Careers and Pay in Vermont
These are BLS median annual wages for Vermont and the United States from the May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. A median is the midpoint among workers in the occupation, from new hires to senior staff, so it is not a starting salary for a new graduate. The 10th–90th percentile range shows what the middle 80% of workers earn in the state.
| Occupation | Vermont Median | Vermont 10th–90th Percentile | U.S. Median | Vermont Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Science Research Assistants | $47,510 | $47,510–$76,650 | $61,990 | 40 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $84,750 | $61,400–$103,540 | $89,320 | 100 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Wage data does not enter the program scores.
Political Science Programs in Vermont: Common Questions
How Many Schools in Vermont Appear in These Political Science Rankings?
5 schools in Vermont appear in the lists shown here (5 bachelor’s programs). A school can appear at more than one degree level. The degree counts come from federal IPEDS completions for 2023–24.
Which Political Science Bachelor’s Program in Vermont Has the Lowest Tuition?
University of Vermont lists $19,058 in annual undergraduate tuition and required fees for state residents in 2024–25, the lowest among the bachelor’s programs shown here. That is a schoolwide figure before aid, so check the program’s own costs and any fees for fieldwork or labs.
Which Private College Scores Highest for Political Science in Vermont?
Middlebury College is the top-scoring private college on this list, ranking second overall. Its 2024–25 tuition and fees are $67,600, and its schoolwide graduation rate is 91 percent.
Where Are Vermont’s Political Science Programs Located?
The five ranked schools are in Burlington, Middlebury, Colchester, Northfield, and Bennington.
Sources for This Page
- IPEDS C2024_A completions: first-major degrees awarded by field and level, 2023–24.
- IPEDS COST1_2024: tuition and required fees, 2024–25.
- IPEDS DRVGR2024: schoolwide graduation rates.
- Carnegie 2025 Research Activity Designations.
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state estimates.
- SocialSciences.org ranking methodology.